Disaster mental health: crisis counseling programs for the rural community

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), brought together six Midwest flood States for a conference to discuss lessons learned. The results of the conference and a review of reports from past crisis counseling projects clearly show that implementing crisis counseling services in rural areas raises challenges and opportunities for innovative outcomes. This publication shares these challenges and outcomes with those who play a role in providing crisis counseling services after a disaster in a rural area. It provides an overview of key points for consideration in planning and implementing rural crisis counseling services.